Rosoboronexport is organizing a single Russian exhibit at the seventh edition of UMEX 2026, the only event in the Middle East dedicated to advancing unmanned systems. The Show is taking place from 20 to 22 January 2026, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Debut participation with a single exhibit at the world’s largest event for unmanned and autonomous systems reflects Rosoboronexport’s intent to expand its footprint in the rapidly growing segment of the international defense market.
Furthermore, on January 21 at 12:00 PM, the Rosoboronexport stand will host a public presentation dedicated to modern Russian Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and loitering munitions.
“ROSOBORONEXPORT, JSC is launching its marketing campaign for 2026 with the UMEX 2026 exhibition dedicated to unmanned technologies - one of the fastest -growing segments of the global arms market. Russian developers, including those affiliated with the Rostec State Corporation, are actively involved in this field. The range of unmanned solutions they offer includes UAVs of various classes and purposes,” said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of the Rosoboronexport.
“According to our projections, demand for UAVs and loitering munitions will grow by 120% and 400% respectively by 2030,” he added.
He further mentioned that “Rosoboronexport has already signed export contracts with its partners for a number of samples”.
Rosoboronexport also emphasizes the opportunity for technology partnerships, including license agreements and joint production ventures, which are expected to attract international buyers interested in not only acquiring the drones but also establishing local production capabilities.
“We will compare notes with our partners on current projects and tell them about the development of unmanned technologies in Russia. We will also discuss prospects for cooperation, including a new area - military-technological partnerships for products developed by Russia’s garage defense industry,” added Alexander Mikheev.
At its booth, the company is showcasing the most in-demand Russian reconnaissance UAVs and loitering munitions, tested in real combat conditions and proven to be effective.
The Zala-developed Lancet-E reconnaissance and strike system, which is being developed and modernized, will feature the Z-16E reconnaissance UAV and two loitering munitions with double X-shaped tails, known as Izdeliye 51-E and Izdeliye 52-E, each with distinct range capabilities and maximum takeoff weights. The Lancet-E is capable of carrying various types of warheads, including high-explosive, high-explosive fragmentation, and cumulative warheads, making it highly adaptable to a wide range of combat scenarios.
The key distinguishing features of these systems include a low radar cross-section (RCS) and acoustic signature, resistance to electronic warfare, precise maneuvering in all planes, as well as rapid deployment and ease of use. Another key features that set the Lancet-E apart is its sophisticated guidance system, which employs optoelectronic guidance combined with a TV guidance unit for terminal control.
As mentioned by Alexander Mikheev, the Lancet-E loitering munitions hold a record for confirmed targets hit. According to open sources and military analysts, this system has disabled over 4,000 items of defense equipment.
The Kub-2-2E loitering munition, developed and produced by Kalashnikov Concern, is the latest Russian model with an automatic guidance system, evolved through combat analysis. This loitering munition is designed for high-precision strikes against land and maritime targets. The system relies on real-time image recognition and is capable of operating both day and night, even in challenging weather conditions. The manufacturer has integrated this munition with the Skat-350M reconnaissance UAV, enabling them to operate in tandem.
The Skat-350M is designed for a variety of missions, including surveillance and reconnaissance. It is equipped with advanced avionics, sophisticated communication systems, and offers payload versatility to meet various operational requirements.
The Supercam S350 is a cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle designed to transmit real-time intelligence about enemy deployment locations directly to command posts. One of the key advantages of the Supercam S350 is its portability and ease of use. Its compact design, combined with an elastic catapult launch mechanism, eliminates the need for runways or additional infrastructure.
Rosoboronexport is also showcasing the Karakurt and Goliath UAV systems from Kalashnikov Group at its booth. These are positioned as effective lightweight reconnaissance UAVs suitable for use at the soldier-squad-platoon level. Designed for maneuverability in confined environments, the Karakurt and Goliath can operate in urban areas or tight spaces where larger aerial vehicles are less effective. (Photo © Rosoboronexport)
